New Yorker targets WBO champion Hooker after Coyle clash – Chris Algieri hopes that a win over Brit Tommy Coyle at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 1 will move him a step closer to a shot at WBO Super-Lightweight World Champion and Matchroom Boxing USA stablemate Maurice Hooker.

Algieri (23-3, 8 KOs) puts his WBO International title on the line for the first time against former Commonwealth Lightweight king Coyle, live on DAZN in the US and Sky Sports Box Office in the UK, knowing that a win could land him the opportunity to reclaim his WBO World title against reigning champion Hooker.

The New York warrior battled back from a pair of first round knockdowns to outbox and upset Ruslan Provodnikov to land the WBO crown in 2014 but was forced to vacate his belt when he stepped up to Welterweight to face modern legend Manny Pacquiao for the 147lbs title later that year.

“Winning this fight, which is all that me and my team plan on doing, puts us in a very good position for some of the top guys in the division,” said Algieri. “Potentially a World title fight with the current WBO World Champion Maurice Hooker who holds the title that I never lost in the ring. That’s what I have in my sights.

“I still feel like part of that belt is mine. That’s not to take anything away from the current champion Hooker, he earned it and he fought his ass off to get to the position that he’s in. I feel like I need another crack at that title because essentially part of it is me.”

Coyle produced a typically bullish performance as he outfought Ryan Kielczweski over ten rounds on his American debut in Boston in October last year. ‘Boom Boom’ is renowned for his toughness but Algieri says he is prepared to take the Hull fighter into the trenches to get the win next week.

“You know what you’re going to get with Tommy Coyle. He’s going to come over here in great shape and give it his all. He’s a tough guy and he comes to fight. He’s a blood and guts kind of guy, a kind of guy that I can get excited for. This is going to be a fun fight to watch and it’s going to be a fun fight to be in!

“You’ve got a guy like him who’s going to come forward. He’s going to be throwing and he’s going to be fighting and he’s going to be hungry. Then you’ve got a guy like me who’s a master boxer who’s going to go out there and use his skills. At the same time, I’ve shown my ability to be tough, I’ve shown my ability to be gritty, and when I need that I can always tap into it.”

Algieri and Coyle clash on a huge night of action at MSG where Anthony Johua’s World title defence against Andy Ruiz Jr. is supported by Irish sensation Katie Taylor clashing with Delfine Persoon for the undisputed Women’s World Lightweight championship, Callum Smith defending his WBA World ‘Super’, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight titles against Hassan N’Dam and Josh Kelly making his US debut as he defends his WBA International Welterweight title against Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson – with more exciting undercard additions announced this week.

Tickets for the huge night of World title action in New York are on sale now via Madison Square Garden and StubHub (www.stubhub.com)

Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.

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